Emily Witt is the Managing Director of Whistler Partners, a matchmaking firm focused on counseling leading attorneys in their careers. In her role, she facilitates women’s advancements in tech, healthcare advocacy, and life sciences. With over 20 years of industry experience, Emily has served as a legal recruiter at one of the world’s most preeminent law firms and now brings her expertise and advice to the agency side of the profession.
Emily began her legal recruiting career as a Senior Recruiting Coordinator at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, where she worked alongside some of the most admirable attorneys in the country. At Wachtell, she became the designated career professional, advising associates on role progression.
Emily’s legal recruiting approach involves connecting with attorneys and guiding them to follow their instincts when making decisions. As a naturally skilled professional matchmaker, she counsels and encourages women to pursue their dream careers.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
- How hiring and recruiting trends have impacted the legal job market
- The differences between in-house counsel and law firms
- What is the hiring criteria for in-house legal departments?
- Emily Witt talks about attorneys’ migrations from in-house to private practice
- Private practice firms’ ideal candidates
- Tips for transitioning from a law firm to an emerging company
- How to evaluate legal recruiters
- Emily’s recruitment advice for assessing job opportunities
In this episode…
With so much volatility in the job market, law firms and in-house legal departments have become even pickier about their hiring standards. Whether you are looking for a role as a private practice lawyer or are interested in going in-house, it’s critical that you understand the hiring landscape and prepare yourself to stand out from a crowded marketplace for legal talent. As you evaluate your options, how can you prepare to transition into your dream career?
Seasoned legal recruiter Emily Witt recognizes business priorities and attorneys’ professional demands. Emerging lawyers often begin their careers in-house, where they’re required to possess agility, leadership skills, and the ability to communicate clearly and succinctly. Conversely, law firms value culture and professional growth, making these environments more attractive to experienced attorneys. When making this shift, Emily says to embellish your skill sets, research the firm, and assess your value proposition. You can also leverage legal recruiters to attain your career goals.
In today’s episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman interviews Emily Witt, a Managing Director of legal recruiting firm Whistler Partners, who shares advice on how lawyers can best position themselves to succeed in a job search. Emily describes the different skills law firms and in-house legal departments look for in candidates, how to evaluate legal recruiters, and how to consider job opportunities.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Sponsor for this episode…
Today’s episode is brought to you by the Ignite Women’s Business Development Accelerator.
Ignite is an 8-month business development program created by women lawyers for women lawyers.
Ignite is not just a one-off seminar or a series of seminars. It’s a carefully designed business development program containing content coaching and a community of like-minded women who are committed to becoming rainmakers and supporting the retention and advancement of other women in the profession.
To learn more about Ignite, visit thelawyersedge.com/ignite.
